Hickman girls' basketball sophomore battles through injury

COLUMBIA — Hickman girls' basketball player Mikayla Logan has played through pain this season with a stress fracture in her foot. The root of her toughness comes from an athletic background.

Her father, Michael Logan, played basketball in high school before playing football at Missouri in the late 1980s. Her mother, Nawassa Logan, played basketball at Missouri.

Wednesday's game

Hickman (19-3)at Southern Boone (0-19)

WHEN: 7:30 p.m.WHERE: Southern Boone High School

Logan, a 5-foot-9 forward, hasn’t let an injury stop her from being part of a regular seven-player rotation and a key contributor for the 19-3 Kewpies.

Two months ago, the sophomore started to feel a pain in her foot during practice. She didn’t think anything was too serious until it was a challenge to run and walk around.

“It was a stress fracture so it gradually started to get worse,” Logan said. “It got really bad and then at that point I went to my athletic trainer.”

An MRI revealed a fracture in her foot, which forced Logan to miss the Jan. 12 game against Nerinx Hall and the Jan. 17 game against Bishop Ward. Hickman coach Tonya Mirts has since limited her in practice and games.

“The only time she participates in practice is to go through a scout defense of who we are playing next,” Mirts said. “If we’re not doing that, she is relegated to shooting free throws, and walking around and watching the drills.”

Logan’s injury affects her off the court, as well. She walks around in a boot during the school day.

“It takes an extra effort in the morning to put on a boot and take my shoes off,” Logan said. “Walking up and down stairs is harder, and it takes extra time to get to class.”

Logan is physically limited on the court but has never shown a mentality to slow down when she receives an opportunity.

“It kind of sounds weird, but when I get in, I’m not reluctant to do stuff,” Logan said. "I want to do more because I know I get less playing time. Knowing I am going to come out either way, I was kind of like go for it, and we’ll see what happens.”

Logan understands the offense better this season because of a dedication to get better.

“The big maturation growth from freshman to sophomore year is she does a tremendous amount of watching film and making less mistakes in a game,” Mirts said.

The stress fracture has caused pain for Logan, however she is able to find silver lining in the injury to sharpen her game and be more in control.

“I think it helps me because with that short span of time I tend to do better and tend to see what goes on out on the court more,” Logan said. “The critiques that my coach makes, I understand it better.”

Logan will continue to be monitored in the remaining part of the regular season and in the district tournament in two weeks. She plans on playing for short periods each quarter when the Kewpies travel to Southern Boone on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.